A while back I posted a listing for a Hogbitz Sportster cafe racer that was the most expensive bike to ever hit the blog ($25K asking price). It was relisted at least once, if not multiple times. This Norton comes in a close second with a Buy-It-Now price of $22,500. As is this the second Norton in a row I’ve posted, it is interesting to compare the bikes, and what differentiates an unrestored Norton Commando from a fully restored and cafe-racerized (including lots of motorwork) Norton Featherbed/Manx. I guess the difference comes down to this 1962 Norton being what is essentially a show bike with a hopped-up motor you could ride, versus the 1971 Norton Commando posted before being an unrestored daily rider that has a frame in good shape with “no visible cracks”.

You decide. $22.5K for a beautiful bike that has been gone through with a fine-tooth comb, or $7.5K for a bike that you might put a little elbow grease into over time (and maybe a motor rebuild while you’re at it). It would be interesting to see what this bike sells for, but it is a Buy-It-Now with Make Offer (2 offers so far), so we won’t be able to watch any climbing auction prices.

Here’s a beautiful cafe racer that is the real deal. This full on Triton build is at auction on eBay with a current price of $6K with about 3 days left. I expect this bike to close much higher than the current price. According to the seller, it is a ground up rebuild with almost all new parts. It is missing the battery tray, so factor that in if you want this bike. Overall, a very beautiful motorcycle.

Up on eBay right now is this Norton Featherbed cafe racer. Or should I say partially completed cafe racer. Most of the major bits are there, but a few things are missing. First, the seller does not have carbs installed, but has a set of Amal 930 carbs that will be thrown in for an extra $200. And then you will need to find some kind mufflers to put on there. The motor is a 1969 Atlas 750 that has supposedly been modded, and the Featherbed frame is a 1962 600SS.

If you can live with the caveats listed here and in the seller’s listing, this might be a great bike that will really turn heads once it is completed. Just go into the purchase with eyes open expecting to have to do a bit of work. Bidding is currently at about $3K with just over 4 days left…

I’m going to admit something to you. The older the bike the less I know about it. Something about a law of inverse knowledge. For every year the bike is older than I am, I know something less about it. There you go.

Up for auction on eBay as we speak (write) is this Norton Featherbed motorcycle. Would it make a good cafe racer? Absolutely. Is it ready to be ridden to the Rock Store or Alice’s right now? Absolutely not.

Please, only bid on this bike if you are sure that you have the gumption and where-with-all to stick with a fairly major project compared to the rest of the potential project bikes I usually post here. Too much for me, but maybe just right for you. Have at it…

Email Subscription

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.